Today, we take a look at Application Security (AppSec) as an important consideration for keeping custom software costs from spiraling out of control post-delivery. For CTOs looking to start work on a new business app, shifting security practices to the earliest stages of the software lifecycle can significantly reduce remediation costs. This guide outlines several “shift left” strategies and considers them in the context of selecting the right custom software company for the right project.
Shift left means moving cybersecurity activities into requirements, design, and coding. Unfortunately, when outsourcing application development, these steps are often skipped or delayed, while the costs of fixing defects rise sharply with each stage of the software development lifecycle (SDLC). Industry benchmarks show that remediating a vulnerability in production can cost between 30–600 times more than fixing it during design.
Unfortunately, most software outsourcing teams do not have access to security experts because cybersecurity expertise is not available in-house within most software development companies. The development contract focuses on delivering functionality on time and on budget, with security considerations treated as an unspoken trade-off. In insurance, regulatory compliance and data protection are two areas of cybersecurity that CTOs cannot ignore.
Vendors should integrate security checks directly into development tools. The classic example is Static Application Security Testing (SAST) tools, which are embedded into IDEs. These can identify vulnerabilities in real time. Experienced developers include additional practices, such as pre-commit hooks for secrets scanning, branch protection with required status checks, and linters with security rules. Working in a team has the added advantage of two-person code reviews using a secure code checklist. A secure coding standard aligned to the OWASP ASVS should be in place, with targets for false positive rates.
When devising a security strategy, it pays off to include multiple testing methods:
Depending on the type of project, additional measures may include API security testing, protocol fuzzing, Infrastructure as Code (IaC) scanning, and container image scanning. In an ideal world, a signed and versioned Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) should accompany each build, including artifact provenance verification.
Automated security checks should be added to the Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) pipelines. This can include per-commit incremental SAST and SCA, nightly deep scans, weekly IAST, and pre-release DAST. One of the best practices is to add policy-as-code gates with thresholds for vulnerability severity. Ensure processes are documented for handling exceptions and break-glass scenarios.
Governance should align with recognized standards such as OWASP ASVS, NIST Secure Software Development Framework (SSDF), and ISO 27001. Vulnerability triage can be based on Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) v3.1 and Exploit Prediction Scoring System (EPSS) scores, with SLAs for remediation. A documented risk acceptance process with an audit trail should be in place. Reporting should include executive-level summaries and detailed technical dashboards.
Track both outcome and process metrics, such as escape rate of security defects, time to first fix, percentage of builds with complete SAST and SCA coverage, dependency update cadence, secret leak rate, and DAST/IAST coverage for exposed endpoints. Include secure coding training completion rates. Use this data to refine rules, training, and backlog priorities.
For applications we design and deliver, TINQIN already applies strong security practices as part of our standard process. Unfortunately, not all projects face the same threat landscape, and some clients choose to go further. For insurance and other regulated industries, these optional enhancements can deliver long-term protection, meet strict compliance needs, and reduce operational risk.
Recommended high-impact services:
These services integrate into our delivery model without delaying timelines when scoped early, and they are recommended for projects handling sensitive data, operating in regulated sectors, or requiring high assurance for clients and partners.
When an application from another vendor fails security tests, shows signs of compromise, or raises doubts about its resilience, TINQIN’s security team can mobilize quickly. We focus on decisive actions that restore confidence and meet stakeholder or regulatory demands.
Adhoc Intervention services:
TINQIN delivers these services with urgency and precision, helping CTOs move from uncertainty to control.
Implementing a “Shift Left” approach to application security and planning for rapid intervention scenarios helps reduce costs, limit the impact of incidents, and strengthen compliance with regulatory frameworks. For insurers and financial sector companies, these practices are essential to maintain the trust of clients, partners, and supervisory authorities.